I want a soft ride - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

PeterB · 12-20-2012, 10:54 PM

BRZ is too stiff for me. How can I make it more comfy and softer ride? I know this is going to be controversial on the forum and contrary to what most people preferences are.

In order to improve logistics here, please do not make the following comments:

1. This car is not for you. You should buy a different car. I know it, but I like this car.
2. Softening will worsen the handling. I know.

I want the softest ride in BRZ that is still safe and not too expensive.

I already know general guidelines like these:
http://www.ehow.com/how_7254664_soft...-ride-car.html

but they are not likely to change the ride significantly, I think.

So, what are my choices about changing the suspension?

I would appreciate any feedback.

BoostedWrbBrz · 12-20-2012, 10:54 PM

Sell it and buy a Prius. There's really nothing to do other then maybe thicker sidewall tires. Most people are trying to do the exact opposite. And that's what all after market suspension options will do. Make the ride stiffer.

Hanakuso · 12-20-2012, 11:00 PM

Go find someone that will custom build a set for you

boredom.is.me · 12-20-2012, 11:18 PM

If you can find softer springs, then that and tires is all you can really do.

PeterB · 12-20-2012, 11:56 PM

So, does anybody know about softer springs that will fit BRZ?

Noob4Life · 12-20-2012, 11:58 PM

Just get a larger tire or upgrade your shocks. If you get a high quality after market shock like blisten maybe, with the stock springs it will probably make for a better ride. But to be honest if you wanted a soft ride you should've bought a luxery sedan not a sports car...

Rayme · 12-21-2012, 12:18 AM

De-inflate tires a bit? stock it's at 36 psi which is pretty high.

JoeBoxer · 12-21-2012, 01:16 AM

Go down to 16" wheels with either 225/50 or 215/55 touring style tires.

Don't touch the suspension except for maybe some chassis bracing. Also get some sound deadening too since you probably want it quieter too.

neutron256 · 12-21-2012, 10:19 AM

It's a lightweight car. Your only going to be able to make the ride so soft before it will start to become unstable. Part of how nice big luxury cars have such a smooth ride is the have a lot of mass.

jadewbj · 12-21-2012, 10:46 AM

16's with meatier tires is your only reasonable option other than getting someone to build you a new set of shocks custom valved.

djdnz · 12-21-2012, 11:31 AM

Yup, smaller wheels, bigger tires should help a bit. Plus you can brag that you bought them small because they are lightweight

rmjjensen · 12-21-2012, 11:41 AM

Sorry but it's the first thing that came to mind when I read the title. My wife wants a more comfy ride - I tell her to drive her own car.

wbradley · 12-21-2012, 11:56 AM

Sorry but Logistics is the management of the flow of resources between the point of origin and the point of destination in order to meet some requirements (eg: shipping).

I agree 16" wheels with 50 or 60 series tires will do it. Also maybe KW V3's at the softest setting. Neither of those options are cheap.

mla163 · 12-21-2012, 03:21 PM

I would start with the dampers first. Try some adjustable Konis. See if that improves the ride at all.

I am not sure if there are any springs out there that would fit with a lower rate (Impreza springs, maybe?)

Next, you could try a coilover setup. Ground Control, for example. And get a lighter rate of springs.

Honestly, I think the ride is pretty good as is. If you want to soften the car up, then it kind of ruins the point of having a well handling sports car.

12-20-2012, 10:54 PM	#1
PeterB Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Drives: Subaru BRZ Limited WRB Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 31 Thanks: 34 Thanked 4 Times in 1 Post Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I want a soft ride BRZ is too stiff for me. How can I make it more comfy and softer ride? I know this is going to be controversial on the forum and contrary to what most people preferences are. In order to improve logistics here, please do not make the following comments: 1. This car is not for you. You should buy a different car. I know it, but I like this car. 2. Softening will worsen the handling. I know. I want the softest ride in BRZ that is still safe and not too expensive. I already know general guidelines like these: http://www.ehow.com/how_7254664_soft...-ride-car.html but they are not likely to change the ride significantly, I think. So, what are my choices about changing the suspension? I would appreciate any feedback.

12-21-2012, 12:18 AM	#7
Rayme The Answer Join Date: Sep 2012 Drives: Mazda 2 Location: Moncton, NB Posts: 1,233 Thanks: 488 Thanked 661 Times in 315 Posts Mentioned: 6 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	De-inflate tires a bit? stock it's at 36 psi which is pretty high. __________________ \| Roof wrap thread

12-21-2012, 10:19 AM	#9
neutron256 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Drives: '13 GBS Subaru BRZ Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 2,030 Thanks: 680 Thanked 664 Times in 382 Posts Mentioned: 26 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	It's a lightweight car. Your only going to be able to make the ride so soft before it will start to become unstable. Part of how nice big luxury cars have such a smooth ride is the have a lot of mass. __________________ -Fortes fortuna adiuvat (Fortune favors the bold)

12-21-2012, 11:41 AM	#12
rmjjensen Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: 2013 Subaru BRZ Limited in WRB Location: Wilmington, DE Posts: 204 Thanks: 17 Thanked 86 Times in 48 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Sorry but it's the first thing that came to mind when I read the title. My wife wants a more comfy ride - I tell her to drive her own car. __________________ My Audio Build - 2 12s in a false floor and bangin. I love my BRZ

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12-20-2012, 10:54 PM	#2
BoostedWrbBrz Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Drives: 2014 Wrb Brz limited 6m Location: NJ Posts: 220 Thanks: 43 Thanked 35 Times in 28 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Sell it and buy a Prius. There's really nothing to do other then maybe thicker sidewall tires. Most people are trying to do the exact opposite. And that's what all after market suspension options will do. Make the ride stiffer.

12-20-2012, 11:00 PM	#3
Hanakuso Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Drives: FR-S Location: California Posts: 1,956 Thanks: 294 Thanked 673 Times in 390 Posts Mentioned: 11 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	Go find someone that will custom build a set for you

12-20-2012, 11:56 PM	#5
PeterB Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Drives: Subaru BRZ Limited WRB Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 31 Thanks: 34 Thanked 4 Times in 1 Post Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	So, does anybody know about softer springs that will fit BRZ?

12-20-2012, 11:58 PM	#6
Noob4Life 86 Noob Join Date: Dec 2012 Drives: Firestorm FR-S Location: Yuba City, CA Posts: 596 Thanks: 153 Thanked 189 Times in 97 Posts Mentioned: 8 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Just get a larger tire or upgrade your shocks. If you get a high quality after market shock like blisten maybe, with the stock springs it will probably make for a better ride. But to be honest if you wanted a soft ride you should've bought a luxery sedan not a sports car...

12-21-2012, 01:16 AM	#8
JoeBoxer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: Whiteout FR-S Location: Arkansas Posts: 4,154 Thanks: 1,666 Thanked 1,627 Times in 997 Posts Mentioned: 72 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Go down to 16" wheels with either 225/50 or 215/55 touring style tires. Don't touch the suspension except for maybe some chassis bracing. Also get some sound deadening too since you probably want it quieter too.

12-21-2012, 11:31 AM	#11
djdnz 1337 Join Date: Oct 2011 Drives: 2013 BRZ WRB S/C Location: San Jose, CA / Waterloo, ON Posts: 1,134 Thanks: 776 Thanked 482 Times in 269 Posts Mentioned: 7 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	Yup, smaller wheels, bigger tires should help a bit. Plus you can brag that you bought them small because they are lightweight

12-21-2012, 03:21 PM	#14
mla163 Overthinking it Join Date: May 2012 Drives: BRZ in CS Location: DC Posts: 271 Thanks: 27 Thanked 81 Times in 48 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I would start with the dampers first. Try some adjustable Konis. See if that improves the ride at all. I am not sure if there are any springs out there that would fit with a lower rate (Impreza springs, maybe?) Next, you could try a coilover setup. Ground Control, for example. And get a lighter rate of springs. Honestly, I think the ride is pretty good as is. If you want to soften the car up, then it kind of ruins the point of having a well handling sports car.

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